Page 86 of Savage

“Oh, my goodness! What are you two doing here?”

“I really need to talk to you.”

“Of course!” She picked Dalton up and started back inside as she said, “Come on in, and I’ll make us some coffee.”

“Do you have time? I know you need to get to work.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that.” Mom turned on the TV and found one of Dalton’s favorite shows. “Work can wait.”

She let Daisy out of her kennel, and she and Dalton started playing in the living room while Mom and I headed into the kitchen. Mom started up a fresh pot of coffee as she said, “I thought you were going home last night.”

“That was the plan, but then some guy tried to run us off the road, and we ended up at the clubhouse.”

“What?”

“It’s nothing. We’re fine. It was just a little scare, but Cotton and the guys took care of it.”

“Well, it’s good you had them to turn to, I guess.”

“It was.”

She walked over and motioned for me to sit down at the table with her. “Okay. Get over here and tell me what’s going on with you.”

“It’s Malcomb.” I pulled the chair out and sat down. “He’s wanting us to move in with him.”

“Yeah, you told me about that a couple of days ago. I thought you were excited about it.”

“I thought I was, too.” I shrugged. “Now, I’m not so sure.”

“Why? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing like that. I just...” Tears started to pool in my eyes as I told her, “I’m just so confused and scared.”

“Scared of what, honey?”

“Of getting lost in him only to lose him again. I just don’t think my heart could take it if something happened.”

Mom placed her hand on my shoulder, squeezing it gently. “I understand why you’re scared, but you can’t live your life in fear. You have to be willing to take chances.”

“And if things don’t work out, and I get my heart ripped out again?”

“Then, you’ll handle it, but I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about that. Malcomb loves you. He’s not going anywhere.”

“I know, but…” My voice trailed off as the tears flowed freely down my face. “I just don’t know.”

Mom and I went back and forth for quite some time. We finished one cup of coffee, and we were about to have another when Mom said something to me that I would never forget:

“There are two kinds of love, Londyn. The one that burns bright and can warm you inside and out. It’s beautiful, wild, and free, but it burns hot and fast, and then it’s gone. Then there is the one that’s like a river. It changes and flows, twists and turns, but it is steady and strong. It meanders, but it always finds its way home.”

She reached over and placed her hand on mine. “Only you can tell if the love you have with Malcomb is one that burns or one that flows, but if it flows like that river, you should hold onto it because those are the hardest to find.”

“It’s been five years since we were together, and I still love him like I did back then. And I think he feels the same way about me.”

“Then, I’d say you have your answer.”

“I’m moving in with him, Mom. I’m moving in with today. Like now.”

“Are you sure?”

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